Col. Eric J. Leckel recognized for 37 years of military service

SHELL LAKE — Col. Eric J. Leckel, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Leckel, Spooner, has been recognized for 37 years of service by the Wisconsin National Guard.

A 1988 graduate of Shell Lake High School, Leckel resides in Waterloo, Wis., with his wife, Heidi. His daughter, Abigail, attends the University of Minnesota — Duluth. His son, Andrew, attends Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich.

Leckel commissioned as a second lieutenant from Officer Candidate School in 1996. Prior to his 27 years of commissioned service, he served as ab enlisted combat engineer for nine years.

He served in a multitude of leadership assignments, including chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA); commander of the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB); director of Construction & Facilities Management Office (CFMO); director for Domestic Operations, Plans and Training (J-3/5/7) for the Wisconsin National Guard (WING) Joint Staff; commander of the 154th Civil Support Team (CST); deputy director WING J-3/5/7; WING State Partnership Program director; Reserve Component liaison officer to the 7th Army Training Command in Germany; platoon leader, company commander, Battalion S-2, S-3; and XO for the 724th Engineer Battalion.

He participated in multiple overseas combat and domestic operations, including two deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, as a company commander and Battalion executive officer, a deployment to Africa as the CJTF — HOA chief of staff, more than 40 partnership engagements with the Country of Nicaragua; and 176 Domestic Support operations with the 154th CST.

Additionally, he directed Wisconsin National Guard domestic operations during an unprecedented period of time that included a National Special Security Event (NSSE), numerous COVID-19 pandemic responses and Civil Disturbance Support Missions.

After graduating from Shell Lake High School in 1988, Leckel earned a bachelor’s of accounting degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He completed a master’s degree in management from the College of St. Scholastica, and earned a second master’s degree from the Army War College. He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College-ILE, Engineer Basic, Advance Courses, Reserve Component National Security Course and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Leadership in Homeland Security Course.

Leckel’s awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster; the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; the Joint Service Commendation Medal; and the Army Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters.